Just curious does your military installation regardless of branch require their own specific license to ride a motorcycle?

2021-06-03T13:38:54-04:00

Outside of having to complete the motorcycle rider course and having your civilian motorcycle license/ endorsement.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 3 at 2021 2:14 PM

2021-06-03T14:14:31-04:00

I did not ride when I was active duty, but since then, getting on a base on a motorcycle requires a MSF card, a license endorsement, plus PPE, long pants, helmet, boots, etc.
I have been on bases that required all those that wanted to start riding to take their course, which went a bit further than the MSF basic course. I assume that was because all the guys coming back from deployment were buying Crotch Rockets and hitting the wall on a regular basis.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2021 3:04 PM

2021-06-03T15:04:40-04:00

Before 9/11 you had to have an MSF card to get a vehicle sticker for a motorcycle. After 9/11, when they did away with vehicle stickers, the requirement kinda died out. However, if you get pulled over on the local AFB and don't have an endorsement they can require you to leave.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 3 at 2021 3:19 PM

2021-06-03T15:19:16-04:00

Commands or Installations may have additional requirements but the basics are motor cycle license, Command endorsed Motorcycle Safety Course and all appropriate PPE. I have seen some Commands have additional requirements for Sport bikes as they contribute to majority of the motorcycle accidents in the Military community. I was on one base that even had a bike simulator course where they would place you in specific situations to allow for practical application. But I have not seen anywhere where they had their own licensing or credentialing program outside of motorcycle safety. I would cut through the rumors and go straight to the source at the Command level so you know what your requirements are.

Response by CWO4 Tim Hecht made Jun 4 at 2021 11:55 PM

2021-06-04T23:55:38-04:00

I’m retired; 20 years now! The only base I ride my motorcycle on now is a monthly trip to BAMC San Antonio for prescription refills. I was a bit shocked - surprised more like it when a DOD Civilian Police Officer at the gate called me on the boots I was wearing while riding the bike on post last month. He told me I needed to wear over the ankle boots while riding on post. Every other Soldier, Airman, or DOD Civilian Officer says things like “Wow, nice bike” or “I didn’t know BMW made a bike like that!” It’s a 2021 BMW R18; 1802 cc, 91 hp, 116 ft lb of torque. It is the largest opposed piston twin engine BMW has ever put in a motorcycle. It has 3 power (torque) options; Rain for sandy or wet roads - least amount of torque when rolling on the throttle, Roll think like normal torque on acceleration, and finally Rock - hold on tight; let’s just say - Holy Toledo that’s a heck of a lot of power! The stock seat had to go in the box that my Corbin “Gunfighter” seat came in. My wife doesn’t want to ride on the back; and I don’t want the temptation when one of the lovely women I know what’s to go for a ride!

Response by SFC William Linnell made Sep 15 at 2021 12:00 PM

2021-09-15T12:00:45-04:00

Polk tried to have the basic course expire in a year and in 6 months of the basic course completion, one had to take the advance course. If you didn't complete it in that time frame, you lost privilege to ride on post and tried to make it off post as well.